Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has confirmed that the club has received “no formal approach” for Alexander Isak during this summer transfer window. Reports emerged earlier this week claiming that Liverpool had reached out to their Premier League rivals. In contrast, Isak did not feature in Newcastle’s 4-0 defeat to Celtic, and Howe provided an explanation for the striker’s absence afterward.
What Howe said about Isak
“It was my decision,” the Newcastle head coach clarified. “I decided to send him home due to the speculation surrounding him. The last thing he wanted was to be sitting in the stands watching, which wasn’t fair to him.” Howe emphasized that they are managing the player’s minutes and did not want to take any risks.
Discussing Isak and Joelinton, who also did not play, Howe noted: “Both players are fit, but we felt they were not ready to play. Everyone experiences different challenges during pre-season. Joe is coming back from a long injury, so we need to ensure he’s fully prepared. Alex has trained well this week and is fit, but we didn’t want to take the risk.”
Howe also addressed whether he could guarantee that Isak would remain a Newcastle player. “It’s hard for me to provide 100% clarity on any player. I would never sit here and do that. It’s football, and you never know what can happen. All I can say is that Alex is happy at Newcastle; he loves the players and staff, and the team. I’ve never had any issues with him aside from wanting to see him showcase his talent. I am confident that he will be here at the start of the season.”
Liverpool’s stance on a move
The ECHO reported on Tuesday that Liverpool is exploring a move for Isak. It’s no secret that the Reds have been long-time admirers of the Newcastle striker, but a deal now seems unlikely with the pursuit of Ekitike advancing.
What Isak has said
Isak has expressed his love for Newcastle and conveyed his thoughts in an interview with the Swedish press back in March. “There’s not much to say, really,” he stated. “I’ve addressed my situation and my security in Newcastle several times. It’s been noted how much I love the city and the club, and how happy I feel here. I’m not considering the future. My focus is on performing for Newcastle. We’ve won the cup, but we want to finish strong and aim for the Champions League games. That’s where my concentration lies.”
